Master’s in Plant Science

Presentation

Description:

The Master’s Program in Plant Science was created in 1985 by the Austral University of Chile Agricultural Science School. It is run principally by professors in the Plant Health and Production Institute, in addition to the active participation of other Institutes within this School and the University, as well as investigators from other institutions.

Objectives:

The Master’s Program in Plant Science at the Austral University of Chile aims to form specialists that will help strengthen the technical capabilities of investigations. Graduates will also be prepared for problem-solving in both private and public sectors related to plant science.

Graduate’s Profile

Graduates from the Master’s Program in Plant Science possess a solid conceptual base in the area of plant science, with an emphasis in the area of their interest (physiology, plant genetics, or plant production or health). They also develop capabilities such as, critical thinking skills and analytical abilities that allow them to develop relevant investigations and innovations. Thus, they have the problem-solving skills necessary to work in both technological and scientific development, as well as in the productive sector. Finally, graduates will be able to apply and communicate, in both oral and written forms, the knowledge they cultivate in their plant science investigations.

Characteristics of the Program:

The Master’s Program in Plant Science is an academic program with classes held on the UACh campus in the city of Valdivia. It is directed towards agricultural engineers, biotechnicians, biologists, or similar professionals that wish to specialize in areas such as agricultural production, crop physiology, and plant health or plant genetics.

The program is structured in a way so that each student can finish all of the coursework in a maximum of three academic semesters, while finishing his/her thesis and exit exam in the fourth semester. Working students can concentrate their class load in 2-3 days a week. To receive a degree, students must finish 3 required, interrelated classes (10 credits) and four elective classes (12 credits). The great variety of elective classes to choose from and the option to take classes in other programs in the Austral University gives this Master’s Program a unique flexibility.

Course of Study

Code

Class

Professor

Credits

Semester

Required Classes 10 credits

ESTD 313

Experimental Designs

Andrea Báez

4

1

PSVE 356

Crop Ecophysiology

Ricardo Fuentes

3

2

PSVE 300

Bibliographical Seminar

Peter Seemann

3

1-2

Elective Classes (organized by area) 12 credits

PSVE 302

Developmental Physiology

Daniel Calderini

3

2

PSVE 303

Special Topics I

Profesores del Programa

2

1-2

PSVE 304

Special Topics II

Profesores del Programa

2

1-2

PSVE 311

Conservation of Genetic Plant Resources

Anita Behn / R. Riegel

2

2

PSVE 307

Plant Mycology

Nancy Andrade

3

1

PSVE 315

Methods of Plant Improvement

Ricardo Riegel

3

1

PSVE 319

Plant Molecular Biology

Ricardo Riegel

3

2

PSVE 330

Agricultural Nematology

Laura Böhm

3

1

PSVE 331

Plant Bacteriology

Erika Briceño

3

2

PSVE 332

Biological Control of Plant Pathogens

Erika Briceño

3

1

PSVE 333

Combating Insect Plagues and Diseases

Esteban Basoalto

3

1

PSVE 346

Weeds and Herbicides

Ricardo Fuentes

3

2

PSVE 351

Post-Harvest Physiology and Management

Fernando Medel

3

1

PSVE 355

Cultivating Plant Tissues

Peter Seemann

3

1

PSVE 358

Subjects related to Agamic Propagation

Peter Seemann

3

1

PSVE 361

Seed Production

Carolina Lizana

3

2

PSVE 362

Subjects related to Grains and Legumes

Daniel Calderini

3

1-2

PSVE 363

Subjects related to Roots and Tubers

Carolina Lizana

3

1

PSVE 364

Subjects related to Horticulture

Rodrigo Acuña

3

1-2

PSVE 365

Subjects related to Fruit Farming

Fernando Medel

3

1-2

PSVE 366

Subjects related to Flower Growing

Peter Seemann

3

1-2

GEOG 300

Plant Response to Abiotic Stress

Alejandra Zúñiga

4

1

Classes offered from other Schools authorized by the Director of the Program

CIDI 301

English

Prof. Centro Idiomas

s/c

1-2

Thesis Project

Profesor Patrocinante

s/c

1-2

PSVE 399

Thesis

Profesor Patrocinante

10

1-2

Exit Exam

Program’s Committee:

Prof. Carolina Lizana

Prof. Ricardo Riegel

Prof. Peter Seemann

Registration Fee for Regular Students and Those with Special-Exceptions